Being able to pick up the phone to speak to a human expert can be a price
worth paying, says Rick Maybury.

I normally run AVG Free anti virus on my home desktop PC and recently changed to Microsoft Security Essentials, which is also free. I have never had any issues that I'm aware of but I'm looking at getting a new laptop for my daughter, for use at university. The sales people are really pushing paid-for anti virus software and rubbishing the free products. Are the commercial programs that much better than the free ones?

Rick Clark, by email

No, not when it comes to basic protection against viruses and most other types of malicious software and there is little to choose between most commercial applications and the best free security programs, and I include MSE and AVG in that category. In theory what you are paying for is fast and personal help and support. The free programs rely much more heavily on online help, FAQs and forums, all of which can be useful, but for some, being able to pick up the phone to speak to a human expert is a price worth paying, though, that’s also what dads are for…